Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, March 8

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up

2 Lord Vronsky – Talk about consistency, he has won 7-of-11 starts over two years; nice stalking style too.

5 Cabo Chico – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this low level; he used to run for a $4,000 price tag last year.

Long Shot – 1 Key Reversal

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

7 Charming Chandra – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; adds Rafael Bejarano and blinkers on.

6 So Pretty – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this bottom level; figures to show more early speed tonight.

Long Shot – 2 Glorious Memories

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Mum’s Truckee – Closer has lost two tough decisions in a row; he fits well with these and will be a factor once again.

2 Chimi Dee – Huge rider switch to Corey Nakatani for the money shot; will save all the ground and try to sneak through inside.

Long Shot – 8 My Cinsation

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds

6 Buds Pal – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low class; Julio Canani is quietly winning races this meet.

7 Idontrollonshabbos – Grinder isn’t big on winning, but fits well at this reduced class; tactical speed to be involved early.

Long Shot – 5 Toledo Eddie

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $45,000, Claiming $50,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

3 Secret Cove – Gets class relief from the Valentine Dancer for this; had a tough trip in last costing a placing or two.

7 Nice Meidel – Aggressively placed by Peter Miller off a pair of close losses; loses Garrett Gomez, replaced by Corey Nakatani.

Long Shot – 6 Funny Belle

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up

8 Kate’s Event – In a race jammed with early speed, this is the best late closer; value at 8/1 with Julien Leparoux up.

6 Italian Rules – Claimed by Bill Spawr off a sharp win in last; has been an in and outer, this could be the out race.

Long Shot – 5 Saddleranch

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

8 Rock This Way – Speedball figures to be aggressively ridden by Edwin Maldonado; he’s a hard jockey to pass when he’s in front.

2 Atticus Jack – Stride late in last; he fits well with these and these are his friends at this $25K class level.

Long Shot – 4 Porfido

Race 8 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

10 Chila Ali – Claimed by Kristin Mulhall off a decent second in last; suspect has room to improve so early in her career.

7 Callous Effect – When a top jock like Garrett Gomez rides in a cheapie like this, it must be due to a live mount.

Long Shot – 2 Victoria’s On Fire

Best Bet – 2 Lord Vronsky (race 1)

Santa Anita Park Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 13/6/$31.00; Long Shots, 7/1/$7.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 725/189/$1,231.10; Long Shots, 358/49/$556.40; Best Bets, 41/15/$60.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 Yonaguska Storm (8/5) in race 9 at Fair Grounds. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Special Energy won at Fair Grounds paying $3.20 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Stats – 38/28/$212.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick